Reel Repair by Alan Tani

One of the reels that came from Keith (RIP to the legend) was a Shimano bantam mag 100. It came with bronze bushings, tied to the reel with a piece of string. I put those in the reel in place of the ball bearings a while ago. And I love fishing with it. Seems to cast about as well with the brass as it did with the balls. Gotta oil them but don't have to worry about salty balls.

So I guess the question is were those something that came with the reel from Shimano, or were those an aftermarket part? The schematic wasn't helpful on this question. I did try to find my own answer before asking here. I swear I remember philaroman (where's he been? I miss his posts) mentioning them before, but I'm wrong a lot. 

They're a standard size that would work on many baitcasters. Just for the heck of it, I wanna get a few more sets to put them in other reels. And I guess I'm wondering if it's they're a part I can search for or do I need to get someone to make them?

The only baitcasters I've seen with brass bushings are the old Abu Ambassadeur's. I have a S. Bantam 100(no mag) and it has ball bearings except for a nylon looking "cast control bushing".

it would not be a surprise to me if i found brass bushings in an old bantam. 

Interesting. Mine came in a box with a manual, no date on either one. I thought it might be the first iteration of the Bantam series, maybe not? The schematic is for 2 models; the regular 100(mine) and the EX version.

Will prolly be selling this one.

Quote from: Gfish on September 18, 2024, 03:39:00 PMInteresting. Mine came in a box with a manual, no date on either one. I thought it might be the first iteration of the Bantam series, maybe not? The schematic is for 2 models; the regular 100(mine) and the EX version.

Will prolly be selling this one.

Can you check for bearings vs bushings before you sell?

Sorry, gonna use the right terms. Can you check for plain bearing vs ball bearings?

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 18, 2024, 02:26:59 PMAnd I love fishing with it. Seems to cast about as well with the brass as it did with the balls.

So I guess the question is were those something that came with the reel from Shimano, or were those an aftermarket part?

I think those brass bushings came with the reel from factory, I have a Bantam Magnumlite 2000 and it has those brass bushing you said and I can confirm that cast pretty smooth.

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 18, 2024, 02:26:59 PMI wanna get a few more sets to put them in other reels. And I guess I'm wondering if it's they're a part I can search for or do I need to get someone to make them?

I might be wrong but I think those bearings are called oil bearings  (oil impregnated brass bearings)


https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,27063.msg310059.html#msg310059

I switched the stock drag washer for carbon fiber washers, some pretty big washers for the size of the reel, I had to use a 113h and 113HN washers (cut to fit) on this small reel

After this conversation, thought I would check some of the bantams I am getting rid of —- and discovered that the sintered bronze bushing is the exact same bushing/bearing as on the D-A-M Quick Champion Baitcasters — which came both ways in the 600, 700, & 800 series — "B" meant ball bearings, no B meant bushings.

Tried a Bantam 10SG, a Bantam 10XSG, and a Bantam 100.

It is just an exact drop in switch-out and all 3 Bantams function perfectly with the DQ Bronze Sintered Bearings.

A Sintered bronze bushing will last much longer than a ball bearing.  And be less troublesome.  Shimano knew this, as did D-A-M.

I can send you some, N/C.

Best, Fred

The ball bearings, cheap-looking, 7 balls/bearing, with a minimal-looking cage. 2nd picture, the cast control bushing. Tap to enlarge.

Quote from: foakes on September 18, 2024, 04:50:15 PMA Sintered bronze bushing will last much longer than a ball bearing.  And be less troublesome.  Shimano knew this, as did D-A-M.

Best, Fred

So did ABU, as they were their main support bearings, other than a lone rotor ball bearing, in their legendary Cardinal, and other, spinning reels.

Many of us old codgers identify them as Oilites, which were originally developed by Chrysler in 1932. It was quite a development and discovery at the time.

It is too bad so many of the younger generations aren't aware of their usefulness. It seems like most of the people nowadays opt for multiple ball bearings that will deteriorate much sooner than Oilites, especially in SW situations.

In the past year or so I have upgraded several of my old bantam reel, plus a few other older reels. Swapping bronze bearings for ball bearings of a high grade, and putting in carbon drag disk. The ball bearing seem to help a good bit with casting lighter baits, not a lot of difference casting heavier stuff that flies good.

The old Shimano 20/40 star drag came with a bronze main bearing and that one cast as good as they come.   I changed them for ball bearings in the belief that a ball bearing must be better then a bush but eventually realised that the latter make very little difference to the distance if any.

Some of those bushes are made from porous sintered metal and you force oil in to the microscopic channels in the metal. Those bushes require very little service which is a big plus.

I see I am repeating most of what is already written above, sorry!

   I have a big smile going on .   What goes around , comes around .    Oilites for the win ..

The one downside to plain bearings is that they do not adapt to misalignment as well as ball bearings. And ball bearings are so inexpensive and popular now, making a reel with poor alignment and stuffed full of ball bearings makes good business sense if you are cynical enough.

With the potential for better alignment with modern machined aluminum frames and sideplates, perhaps it is time to give plain bearings another look. 

I agree with Cornelius.  IMHO, most fishermen would be better off with sintered plain bearings.

I saw a baitcaster advertised recently with "revolutionary high-tech polymer" maintenance -free bearings,  which were simply common Rulon plain bearings. Not a bad idea for a bass reel, but I would go with sintered bronze for larger stuff. But for a Bantam, Rulon would be fun to try.

-J

https://oilite.com/   They have a selection of different material .

Quote from: oldmanjoe on September 18, 2024, 09:24:48 PMhttps://oilite.com/   They have a selection of different material .

The glass filled PTFE bearing is Oilite's equivalent to Rulon, which is the most well known trade name for the stuff.   Super low friction.

-J